To the Editor:

'Tis the season of signatures. Don't know what I mean? Let me explain. Each day, during this season, I receive several signatures of friends and acquaintances. What's up with sending me your signatures? I already know your name. These holiday cards, and we all receive them, with no personal info, no news, no "hope you are fine," just a signature on a card that somebody else wrote the tacky verse, probably in China. Well, I may not be infected with the holiday spirit, as I am told, but I do make an effort to at least make inquiries and mention their families or some personal reference that makes the card intended for them, and not just anybody. I receive cards from people I have not spoken to in years, nor seen in more, and all I get is their signatures. I want to scream, "Are you happy? Are you married? Any children? Do you work? Have you come out of the closet? Any grandchildren? How are you? Really!" Give me some bit of information about your life, express a sentiment, share a moment with me. But please, please don't simply mail me your signatures.

I wondered if it might be the tough economic times; maybe people need to stretch their ink a little longer, thus the signature only. Or are people actually so busy, they sit and just sign cards in a generic "assembly line manner," not knowing, nor caring for whom the card is intended? Maybe we should all just mail our business cards out instead. It may go farther in stimulating our economy by promoting our own businesses.

I'm really not that much of a holiday grinch - well okay, maybe just a little, but I recognize and acknowledge "personal" sentiments for others. Well, I've got lots of business cards to send. Happy holidays. Bah! Humbug! Jack Bosley St. Ignace